Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-11-19

tarnal wild cats began 10 growl and
scratch close to my heels.
"She came right at me a-growlin' an /
sickin' up tho leaves with her feet, an
snappin' at me. Then skunk AWAY, an
caught hold Of this tree, an swung up
in its branches. The old critter was a |
good climber too, an she was ut my
heels the next moment. Then began
to set up a-yellin' 10 attract your atten-
ton, am when We was right under me I
dropped. Thet's the story, strangers"
Our visitors account Of his adventures
was so plausible that we oil felt satisfied,
and at once he became free passenger.
While returned to my wheel. and
started the tug under way again, one of
the deck hands took him below to give
him something to eat. The excite
ment of the little adventurer soon
died out, and in half an hour l had
almost forgotten that we had more pas
sengers ON board than our usual number.
l watched complacently the clouds drift
ing across the face of the moon, forming
fantastic pictures against the soft light
of the sky. The scene was in harmony
with my feelings, and had duty not die
tated differently should have dropped
peacefully 10 sleep.
But long service had made me sleepless
when the spokes of the wheel were in my
hand, and unconsciously ] kept my
weather eye directed straight ahead when
the passageway became exceptionally mar
row. AS we crossed one of the open
spaces In the river, and were approaching
the narrow part Of the stream again, my
attention was attracted by the peculiar
actions Of the tug. Her PROV seemed to
be gradually heading toward the right
bank, where dense growth of bushes
extended down to the waters edge. In
voluntarily turned the wheel in the OPP
posite direction, and for u moment the
boat seemed endeavoring to obey her rud-
der. She struggled up stream for a mo
ment, then hesitated, and again headed
toward the shore. With desperate jerk
threw the rudder as far to the right as
it could go, determined to make the vessel
mind. But to my surprise, she merely
repeated her former actions, and ap-
preached within 200 yards of the bank.
Feeling certain that something was
wrong. struck the bell sharply for the
engineer to reverse the machinery. She
was checked at once. but not until her
prov stuck in the mud near the bank. !
thought then saw human form emerge
from the bushes, but tho sudden back
ward movement of the tug prevented me
from seeing clearly.
BY this time had become anxious lest
something was wrong aboard the boat,
and, calling one of the deck hands, told
him to examine the river ahead Of us as
we proceeded. Then, starting up stream
slowly again, held the spokes firmly in
my hand, and waited for further devel-
opments. Once more the boat began to
act in the old peculiar manner, turn
ing her prov gradually toward the
right bank. This was exasperating,
and the machinery was again stop
ped. Boat hooks were then busily
employed searching in the water for the
obstruction.
LEND us a hand here, " suddenly cried
one of the men with the hooks, as Inc
seemed to be Juggling away at something
in the water. The next moment he
pulled up to our view heavy cable rope
that lay diagonally across the river. II
was stretched in such manner that {
boat coming up stream would not b.
suddenly checked in its Roadway, but
would gradually swing its head around
until its PROV ran straight into the right
bank.
The discovery confirmed my fears tina,
attempts were being made to capture tn,
boat, but before could give orders t
cut the cable, flash and report from
the right bank informed us that our live
were in danger. Reversing the engine
we started the tug toward the left bank
to get beyond the reach Of bullets If pos
sible. Here concluded to. hold con
sultation with my men and prepare TO
battle. In the shadow of the trees OF
The left bank of the river we were il
such darkness that they could not d
much damage with their firearms, thougl
a stray bullet might pick one Of us off q
any moment.
There were three of us, all heavil,
armed and desperate men, accustomed +
. dodge bullets and return shot for
shot, The stranger would make tn
fourth, but of his courage, however, w
were ignorant. He was still in the cabil
below, sleeping, as we supposed; bu
!. when we went to rouse him we found t
our chagrin that he had disappeared.
concluded that he was in league wit
those on the opposite side Of the river am
!, his strange appearance on the steame
was merely a part of deeply laid scheme
ssCome men, whispered, 1--WE mus
reach that cable again and cut it, and the
! steam up the river for all that we al
! worth. Do you understand"
They acknowledged their assent with
bow and Gay, ay, captain, we're wit
YOU"
"But hist; what's that?''
| A dark object was moving out of tn
shadow of the trees and making its noiss
less course across the river. 1t was tn
: head of swimmer.
Zone moment, cried.
! The flash and report of my rifle wei
i followed by piercing death cry, an
4 with wild leap the object turned owe
) in the water and settled back in til
n muddy stream. There was no need fc
explanation; we all understood the NEAR